- Paperback: 300 pages
- Publisher: Orenda Books (19 Sept. 2019)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 191237479X
- ISBN-13: 978-1912374793
Synopsis
John Docherty’s mother has just been taken into a nursing home following a massive stroke and she’s unlikely to be able to live independently again. With no other option than to sell the family home, John sets about packing up everything in the house. In sifting through the detritus of his family’s past he’s forced to revisit, and revise his childhood.
For in a box, in the attic, he finds undeniable truth that he had a brother who disappeared when he himself was only a toddler. A brother no one ever mentioned. A brother he knew absolutely nothing about. A discovery that sets John on a journey from which he may never recover.
For sometimes in that space where memory should reside there is nothing but silence, smoke and ash. And in the absence of truth, in the absence of a miracle, we turn to prayer. And to violence.
Shocking, chilling and heartbreakingly emotive, In the Absence of Miracles is domestic noir at its most powerful, and a sensitively wrought portrait of a family whose shameful lies hide the very darkest of secrets.
Review
In the Absence of Miracles is the first book I have read by Michael J Malone and is one of the darkest thrillers I have read in a long time. John is in shock at his mother’s stroke, and how it has left the normally immaculate woman he knows into an invalid who will need constant care. To pay for the care costs he has to sell his mother’s home and whilst sorting things out comes across a photo and a bloodied shoe. Further investigation reveals that he had an older brother than was never talked about. In his quest to find out what happened he finds more questions than answers and takes him to some very dark places and to secrets that have devastating consequences. This thriller is a very dark domestic noir that had me gripped from start to finish.
John is an interesting narrator for this story as he seems to be having a meltdown, he is drinking too much which is causing trouble at work and he can’t commit to a relationship. Gaps in his memory adds a touch of unreliability to his narration as does his drinking. As the plot progresses his mental health takes a down turn, and I felt that this was a an important part of his character with mental health being at the forefront at the moment. Michael J Malone’s characterisation of John, and a couple of other characters show how men in particular deal with mental health, and that it is ok to cry, and ok to feel like this. It also goes on to show that with help and support you can come out the other side.
There are some very difficult issues raised in this book and the reader is taken on a journey down some very dark and sinister alley ways that are difficult to read at times. What I was impressed by was Michael J Malone’s understanding, empathy and skill in his writing about these subjects, no added drama required. John’s story, and that of his family, took me through a torrent of different emotions in the space of a couple of pages; shock, happiness, sorrow, empathy, anger, and surprise. I’m not going to say much more about the plot as I don’t want to give anything away, apart from the fact that this is a very powerful read, difficult at times but utterly compelling.
In the Absence of Miracles is a sinister thriller and dark domestic noir that has the capacity to shock but compel you to read on at the same time. Mental health, violence and addiction are some of the issued dealt with great care and understanding. I found Michael J Malone’s writing beautiful, empathetic and knowledgeable and I am now looking forward to reading more of his books. A heart stopping and intense read.
Thank you to Anne Cater and Orenda books for inviting me to be part of this blog tour and introducing me to a wonderful new author.
